Colgate University (Hamilton, NY)

There is no doubt that Colgate possesses one of, if not the, most beautiful college campus in the country. Set in a large bowl-shaped valley in the foothills of the Adirondacks, there are 360 degree views that are especially impressive in the fall. Facilities on campus are new, in many cases, and top-notch, in all cases. It is unique among similar liberal arts college in its slightly larger size, about 2800 students. Also unusual is the Division I athletic program; in fact, Colgate was voted the 2nd most fit campus in the country. Greek life is strong on campus with about 1/3 of the campus participating. International relations is an extremely strong program, as are English, philosophy and biology. Colgrate students seem a bit more preprofessional in their orientation than similar institutions, and Colgate alumni rank first among liberal arts college graduates in mid-career salaries. Perhaps due to the strong athletic program and the rural location, Colgate has a strong community feel. The political atmosphere on campus is probably a bit more conservative than peer institutions in the Northeast, and typical student dress is athletic and preppy. Opportunities for outdoor recreation abound, but the nearest city is Syracuse, about an hour away. K